FAQs Archive | Citizen Café Tel Aviv

Q: How are Hebrew classes organized, and how many students are in each class?

Classes are organized into seven levels of Hebrew, from Level 1 (beginners) to Level 7 (advanced), which means everyone in your class will be at the same level. After you come into our hub at Mindspace for a free 1-to-1 introduction to assess your level of Hebrew, we will place you in one of the seven levels. (We can also conduct the assessment via phone or Skype if you prefer.) Classes meet two days per week, for 90 minutes each day, spanning a total of 10 weeks. We use English as the primary language to teach and translate new material. Since small group sizes are essential for giving you more opportunities to speak in class and, therefore, more confidence to speak outside of class, there are no more than eight students per class.

Q: Do I need to purchase a textbook?

No, we do not use textbooks, handouts or worksheets. Our classes are mostly conducted in a spoken manner, with some note-taking (in a notebook we provide) and a whiteboard for further emphasis.

Q: What are some examples of things I’ll learn in class?

We focus on spoken, everyday Hebrew that is most relevant and useful, such as: how to order in a restaurant and make reservations, how to schedule a doctor’s appointment, common Hebrew phrases and slang you'll hear throughout Tel Aviv, conversational skills for workplace and social settings, verbs you'll need to get around, and so much more.

Q: What is the average age / career / nationality of Citizen Café students?

Most of our students are within the 24-to-45 year old range, but people of all ages are welcome and can benefit from our classes. Our students largely consist of internationals working in startups and corporate offices, as well as doctors, artists, diplomats, ambassadors and college students. The majority of our students are predominantly from English-speaking countries in North America, Europe and South America, as well as Australia.

Q: Is Citizen Café part of the government-subsidized ulpans if I make Aliyah?

Due to the headache that is bureaucracy, we are not a government-subsidized ulpan at this time.

Q: Why should I pay for an ulpan when I can enroll in a government-subsidized one?

Because, sometimes, quality usually trumps quantity. While a government-subsidized ulpan is better than no ulpan, their class sizes are significantly bigger, and class times are overwhelmingly long and drawn out. We focus on giving you the confidence and conversational skills you need to be successful in Israel today, while offering class times that easily fit into your busy schedule.

Q: Will I automatically move onto the next level if I enroll in a second semester?

You can continue with your class level, or you can move to the next level, unless you miss a significant portion of the course. Plus, we offer half-yearly and yearly packages to accommodate students who want to enroll in multiple semesters (which is highly recommended) at a discounted rate. We purposely schedule each semester for 10 weeks in order to give students time to travel, study and/or work, with the option of returning to the level that best suits them when they are ready to do so.

Q: What if I'm unhappy with my class level?

In the rare event you are unhappy with your class level, we will either move you to another class, or refund you if another class is not available. Since we provide you with a free 1-to-1 introduction session to assess your level of Hebrew before you enroll, we have a very accurate track record of placing the right students in the right classes.

How are Hebrew classes organized, and how many students are in each class?

Do I need to purchase a textbook?

What are some examples of things I’ll learn in class?

What is the average age / career / nationality of Citizen Café students?

Is Citizen Café part of the government-subsidized ulpans if I make Aliyah?

Why should I pay for an ulpan when I can enroll in a government-subsidized one?

Will I automatically move onto the next level if I enroll in a second semester?

What if I’m unhappy with my class level?

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